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How to Learn Excel: 5 Effective Learning Methods You Need to Know

Excel is the go-to spreadsheet application for professionals around the world, and with a variety of training formats available, now is the perfect time to become an Excel expert. Find out how to get the most out of your Excel training with this comprehensive guide.

Because Excel remains the industry-standard spreadsheet application around the world, now is a great time to learn this program. Training is available in a variety of formats for interested learners. Prospective students can select from live coursework in the in-person or virtual environment such as introductory-level coursework, bootcamps, and certificate programs. Content is also available online in the on-demand format. For those looking to boost their resumes or achieve advanced Excel training, coursework is also offered to prepare students for Excel certification. The following sections will briefly look at the various Excel training formats offered, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Enroll in In-Person Excel Classes

Studying Excel in the in-person environment is a great way to learn to work with spreadsheets. This interactive learning format offers students the opportunity to connect with the instductor, as well as to network with other learners. This type of learning also provides students with access to a computer lab with the most up-to-date software and Excel version already installed. In-person Excel study takes many forms: students can choose from beginner-friendly content, intermediate coursework, and advanced training. Bootcamps and certificates are available from many top educators in the in-person format. 

In-person study requires that students attend meetings at a designated learning facility. This format may therefore be prohibitive for those who do not live near big cities or universities. It also requires commuting to and from class for regular meetings, which may mean having to rearrange work schedules for coursework. In-person Excel study can also require additional time and financial investment for travel and parking.

Attend Live Online Excel Classes

Live online Excel coursework is available for those who thrive learning in the live environment but don’t want to commute to class meetings. Those interested in learning to work with spreadsheets can complete all coursework remotely, from the comfort of their home or office space, without having to battle rush-hour traffic or waste time searching for parking. These classes are generally taught using a teleconferencing platform like Zoom. Live online study offers access to an instructor in real time. This training format ensures that students can ask questions, receive immediate answers and support, and receive hands-on training with real-world data. Those who are interested in learning Excel through live online study must be available for regularly scheduled classes, which may mean needing to rearrange work schedules to participate in virtual meetings.

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Sign up for On-Demand Online Excel Classes

On-demand Excel classes are an excellent option for learners with busy schedules who cannot commit to regularly scheduled coursework in the in-person or live online format. Whereas live study requires participants to be available at specific times for class meetings, self-paced content is pre-recorded and available at any time. Students can complete lessons at night, on the weekend, or even while traveling. This flexible learning format allows learners to pause lessons as necessary, as well as to rewind, which can help them retain information before moving on to new material. Often, self-paced coursework is a more affordable alternative than live study. This makes it a good option for those interested in learning spreadsheet basics before investing in more rigorous study options. 

Since no instructor is available for asynchronous content, it can be challenging to master advanced spreadsheet skills in this learning format. This is why on-demand coursework is best suited for self-driven individuals who wish to learn about this app’s interface and basic features. Mastering advanced Excel skills often requires a more structured learning environment with access to a real-time instructor.

Watch Free Excel Tutorials 

Free Excel tutorials are available for those who want to get started with Excel but don’t wish to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars in study. Learners can select from YouTube videos or entire channels devoted to spreadsheet skills. They can also browse online tutorials, blogs, and community forums, which all offer Excel information. One of the benefits of free content is that it can provide a general overview of Excel basics such as fundamental features, functions, and tools, as well as how to navigate the interface. Free Excel tutorials are available in many topics. Learners can select from short video clips on formatting cells, printing workbooks, or working with SUM and AVERAGE, or can select longer content that spans hours and offers more comprehensive spreadsheet information. Since there is no cost associated with learning in this format, students can watch one or a dozen videos, or consult multiple tutorials as needed. Because of the vast amount of online Excel content currently available, it’s important for those who choose to learn in this format to select up-to-date content that reflects the current version of Excel. 

Explore Excel Certificates & Certification

A great way to help your resume stand out is to pursue certificate study in Excel or to seek an Excel certification. Certificates in Excel are available from many top educators. This form of study provides learners with rigorous Excel training that can make them more productive, efficient employees. Certificate programs are available in-person as well as in the live online format. Most span several weeks or months. Although these programs typically cost thousands of dollars to complete, tuition often includes perks that extend beyond the classroom such as mentoring, professional training, and job application support.

Earning an Excel certification such as the Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate Certification, indicates to employers that an individual has a working knowledge of Excel’s features and functions. In order to pass this exam, individuals usually have 150 hours of experience working with Excel. They are able to create and manage worksheets and workbooks, and perform a variety of core Excel tasks such as creating tables, cells, and ranges, working with functions and formulas, and implementing objects and charts. Passing this exam indicates that the individual can execute these Excel tasks on their own and apply this knowledge in a professional environment. Not only can this set a candidate apart from other job applicants, but Excel certification can also lead to higher pay and more job opportunities.

Get Started Learning Excel

If you’re ready to begin your Excel learning journey, you can find the class most suited to your educational needs using CourseHorse. This online resource can help you find online Excel classes. It’s also a great tool to locate Excel courses near you. CourseHorse makes it easy to compare Excel classes based on their location, content level, day and time, price, or duration. Interested learners can enroll directly using the “Attend” key, which leads to a “Book Now” page. 

CourseHorse is not only useful for finding Excel classes, but it can help you discover a plethora of coursework in a range of creative, technical, and professional topics. It’s a versatile tool for learners of all ages who’d like to study a skill, craft, or language. Currently, 75,000 course offerings can be found using this resource. Classes are offered by a range of educational providers across the country, with locations in major cities like Los Angeles and New York City. Remote learning options are also listed. It can help you explore training options in fields like data analytics, Python programming, sewing, painting, or a foreign language. The more classes you complete, the more rewards you will earn. 

If you’re interested in studying Excel or any other topic, let CourseHorse help you find the perfect match. If you have any questions, you can contact CourseHorse to learn more. 

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